Compartment lock



Sept. 27;` 1.949.` v H. J. FELDMANN y COMPARTMENT LOCK` Filed July 2, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1949 aan@ COMPARTMENT LOCK Henry J. Feldmann, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 2, 1946, Serial No. 681,086

(Cl. 'Y0-83) 17 Claims.

This application relates to a lock of the type utilized for locking compartments, boxes, chests, and other similar structures. More particularly, my invention relates to a lock of the type in which a tumbler controlled pushpiece is adapted to retract a locking bolt `when the tumblers are properly positioned.

In locks of the particular class, it has been customary to prevent inward movement of the tumbler controlled push piece except when the said push piece is in a particular rotated position, there-being utilized for'the-purpose an obstruction on the lock body in alignment with a part of the push piece in one position thereof. As a feature of my invention, I-utilize each of the tumblers contained in my push piece for preventing movement thereof until the tumblers are retracted or are rotated with the push piece into alignment with a releasing slot of the lock body in which the'push piece is mounted. This phase of the invention is an improvement over that describedV and claimed by Charles Ledin in Patent No. 2,399,812 dated May 7, 1946.

As a further feature Aof my invention, the locking bolt is adapted for assembly in the lock through a particular shaping of the lock body. As a further feature of this part of the invention, the locking bolt is retained in position through its inherent relationship to the lock body.

As a feature also of my invention, the locking stress against the bolt of my lock vis accepted in a novel manner by the lock body while the release movement of the bolt -is accomplished through a withdrawal thereof from its strike with a minimum of friction.

More particularly, it is a feature of my invention that the locking boltis adapted for sliding and pivotal movement, the push piece being adapted to impart sliding movement to the locking bolt which then pivots automatically out of locking position. As a further feature of this part of the invention, spring means are utilized to maintain the locking bolt in a particular position and to resist both its pivotal and sliding movement. As a particularly important feature of the invention, the spring means is preferably a single torsion spring vmounted in a novel and unusual manner relatively to the tion of a lock body retainer that holds covering means for the slots in covering position.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the utilization of a retainer for the lock body Vadapted for. application `to the lock body without tools or particular holding means, and functioning to maintain the lock body pressed into its preferred mounted position.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims rappended hereto.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the lock of my invention showing it applied to a compartment door and in locking relation to the housing to which the door is fitted. Fig. .2 is a section taken along lines l2 2 of Fig. 1, while Fig.,3 is a sectionY taken along lines 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a view of the parts of Fig. 3 showing the tumbler controlled push piece rotated and the key in tumbler controlling position. Fig. 5 is a front View broken away partially to show the action of a retaining tumbler that functions to hold the tumbler controlled push piece within the lock body. Fig. 6 is an end view and partial section taken alongr lines 6 6 of Fig. l. Fig. 7 shows the parts of Fig. lwith the lock bolt retracted. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the lock body of my invention showing the individual locking-slots in which the tumblers lie when the tumbler controlled push piece is in locked position. Fig..9 is a View similar to Fig. 8, illustrating `the lock body retainer and the manner in which it covers the tumbler locking slots. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the lock body retainer.

`Referring now more Vparticularly to the drawings, the lock `body ofiny invention is designated by referencenumeral Ill and has mounted for rotation andlsliding movement therein a tumbler controlled push piece Il that is really a key plug formed with akeyway l2 and slots for a series of locking tumblers- E3. The push piece or key plug ll is equipped with a retaining and limiting lug It best illustrated in Figs. v2 and 5 adapted to lie behind a scalp vS applied to the lock body and moving in a slot 14a of said lock body. It is the function of this lug Il! to prevent removal of the key plug-or push piece Hl fromthe lockbedy im, while 3 limiting the plug rotation to 180, all as those skilled in the art will fully understand.

When the key plug I I is in its rotated position of Fig. 3, its several tumblers I3 will be spring projected by a series of springs I6 into a series of individual locking slots I1 of the lock body I0. These slots I'I are probably best shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 8, and preferably there will be one tumbler I 3 in each slot, although it is conceivable that it may be desirable at times to make the slots longer so that a plurality of tumblers may be positioned in each slot. Those skilled in the art will understand that each tumbler in each slot Il will prevent endwise movement of the key plug or push piece I I from its position of Figs. land 2 to its position of Fig. 7. If a key K is inserted into the keyway I2 as shown in Fig. 2, the tumblers I3 will be retracted from the locking slots II, and will move into a position with their peripheries in alignment with the periphery of the key plug L narrow control slot I8 positioned 180 from the f individual locking slots I 1. As best seen in Fig. 2, the slot I8 extends to a considerable length in the lock body beyond the individual slots II and terminates inan end wall I9. It is obvious, of course, that with the several tumblers I3 in the slot I8, it is possible to push the key plug or push piece I I' until the innermost tumbler I3 strikes the end wall IS. This will not ordinarily occur as the key plug need never move inwardly beyond its position of Fig. 7.

The inward movement of the key plug or push piece II ,is utilized to actuate a locking bolt 20. This locking bolt 2B is adapted for co-action with a strike 2! carried by a compartment surface 22, and when in the position of Fig. 1 it maintains in closed position a door 23 on which the lock body I is mounted.

The locking bolt 2U is preferably carried on a pin or shaft 24, and, as a matter of fact, the bolt 2B may be integral with the shaft 24 so that the shaft will form trunnions for the bolt. The particular method of fabricating the bolt and the other parts of my invention is, of course, not important as methods of fabrication change from time to time as manufacturing techniques improve. For mounting the bolt 20, the lock body I is formed with a slot 25 extending downwardly toward the bore 26 of the lock body II! in which the key plug or push piece Il rotates and moves endwise. The lock body is further equipped with opposed slots 26a best seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 6 that extend longitudinally of the lock body and terminate at the extreme rear end thereof. In order to apply the locking bolt to the lock body I0, it is merely necessary to insert the bolt through the open rear end of the lock body with the shaft 24 sliding in the opposed slots 25a. Naturally, the key plug or push piece II` will not at the particular time be within the lock body I Il. As soon as the locking portion 20a of the bolt 20 is inserted opposite the slot 25, it will be free to rotate on shaft '24 into its position of Fig. 1.

A single torsion spring 2T that is wound as best illustrated in Fig. 6, is adapted for maintaining the locking bolt 20 in its position of Fig. 1. In effect, this single spring 21 may be considered as comprising two springs with each of the said two springs having a dual function. Thus, glancing at Fig. 6, each of the two springs may be considered as having one leg at 21a pressing against the lock body and a second leg 2lb pressing against the locking bolt 2B. The spring action will naturally tend to move the shaft or pin 24 to the right in Fig. 1, carrying the bolt portion Zlib against the end surface Ila of the key plug or push piece II. Simultaneously, the bolt 2U will be spring rotated counterclockwise about the axis of the shaft 24 in its locking position. When the key plug or push piece II' is moved to the left in Fig. 1 its surface I la will press against the surface 2519 of the locking bolt 20 to move it toward the left to its position of Fig. '7. As the bolt so moves, a carnming surface 28 on the lock body will co-act with the camming surface 20c of the locking bolt 2u to cam the lbolt into the slot 25 as best shown in Fig. 7. This action will, of course, release the door 23 so that it may be moved to open position.

It is important to consider at this point that the locking thrust against bolt 20 is accepted by the lock body at 28, rather than by pivot shaft 24. This contributes a very secure and solid locking action while allowing a smooth endwise withdrawal of the bolt by the key plug or push piece II accompanied by a releasing rotation of the bolt free of friction from its cooperating strike 2 I.

The individual locking slots I'I are adapted t0 be covered by one of the two ears 29 of a lock body retainer 30 so as to prevent the entrance of dirt into the lock body as is probably best appreciated from Fig. 9. The ears 29 have a second function, being utilized to lie against detent surfaces 3l of the lock body ID so as to retain the lock body from movement outwardly relatively to a hole 32 of the door 23 on which it is mounted. In applying the lock body to the door, the retainer 3.9 will be placed against the rear surface of the said door and the lock body then inserted. The retainer 30 is made of spring-like material and the ears 29 are therefore adapted to flex into and out of retaining position. Thus, the said ears 29 will rst be moved outwardly by the lock body and then will spring inwardly toward the detent surfaces 3l as seen in Fig. 2. This position of the ears will be assumed just as the scalped head 33 oi the lock body Ill is applied against the outer surface of the door 23, and it will be the function of the spring-like retainer 3Il and the ears 29 to force the scalped head 33 of the lock body yieldingly against the door 23. This prevents rattling of the lock body relative to the door, and maintains itin effective operating position. It is obvious, also that the locking bolt 2B will be maintained rmly against the lock body and the push piece I I for effective operation.

I believe that the construction of my inven tion and its function will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I now claim:

1. In a lock of the class described, a lock body having a bore, a key plug slidable in said bore, said body having a pair of opposed slots, a pin slidable in said slots transversely of said bore, a bolt carried by said pin and slidable therewith. said lock body having a third slot transverse of said rst slots and Vcommunicating with said 5 bore `and through :which said t belt Y:extends from said pin, and a surface on said key plug adapted to iimpinge :against :said .bolt vto push it and Yits pin .rearwardly relatively to said tlockbody.

2. #In -.a lock, of :the kclass described, alook .body having a bore, .-axkeypiug -slidabie in saidbore, said bodyrhaving apair .of. opposedsletspapm slidable said .slots l:transversely of said bor-e, a :bolt carriedabysaid pin vvand v.slidabie therewith, said lockjbodyhaving athird Vslot transverse of saidlviirst slotsand communioatingwith saidrbore and through which .said oolt extends kfrom said pin, .a surface ensaid key plug adapted to inipinge ,against Vsaid lbolt to .push Ait and lits vpin rearwardly relatively :tosaid lock body, .and a surface of said iook body adapted :to cam said bolt downwardlyinto saidfthird .-slotas said bolt and -pinmovelrearwardly of said flock body.

39111 a :lock ofthe.classidesoribed,.alock body having a bore, a key plug slidable in said bore,

Said body fhavin-g a pai-r iofopposed slots, a pin slidable in :saidslots transversely of said bore, a bolt carried-by said pinand slidable therewith, said lock `body 'having a :third slot transverse of saidrst slots and communicating withsaid bore and lthrough which said b olt extends from said pin, a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against said bolt to pushit and its pinrear-.wardly relatively to said leek body, and spring means pushing said pin and .boit bodily against the said surfaceof said `key plug while rotating said bolt outwardlyof said thirdslotrin a lockingdh reoton.

Afi. In alock of the class described, a lock body having a bore, a key'plug slidable .in ysaid bore, said body havinga vpair ofopposed slots, ya pin slidable in said slots transversely of said bore, a bolt carried by saidpin-and-slidable therewith, said flock body having a vthird slot transverseoi said iii-st slots and` communicating `with said bore and through which said bolt extends from said hin, asurfaceon said key plug adapted to img pinge against sai-d bolt to push it and its pin rearwardly relatively to said-lock body, a surface' of said 'lock bodyladapted to cam saidboit downE Wardly into said .third slot as said boltand pin more rearwardly of said lock body, .and spring means pushing said pin and boltbodily against thesaidsurface of said key rplug while rotating Std bOlt Outwardly of said third slot in a lockE ins direction.

5. In a look of theolass described, a lock body harig-1 ,aborda key Dlugslidabie in said bore, said bod-y haring a pairof opposed slots, .a pin slidable said slots transversely of said'bore, a bolt carried by said pin and slidabletherewith, said lock body having athird slot transverse of said iirst slots and communicating with said bore and through which said boltextends from said Suriaoeon said key nlugfaflaptod to impinge against said bolt to push it and-itsgpill rearwardly relatively to said lock body,r and a single spring pushing said pin-and'boltfbodily against the said surfaoe o f said key plug while@ Vrotating said bolt ouinzvardlyr o f said third slot a looking direction.

6.. In a lock f the, Class described, a lockbody having a bore, a key `plus Slidable in said bore, said body having a ,pair 0f deposed Slots, pin ,slidable insaid slots transversely of said bore, a bolt carried by Said pin and slidable therewith, said lock body having a third slot transverse of said first slots and communicating with said bore and through which said bore extends from said pin, a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against said bolt to push it and its pin rearwardly relatively :.tofsaid lock ;body, a vsurface of said loekfbody..adaptedzto cam said bolt downwardly into saidthird slot aSVsaid bolt and pin move rearwardly of said look body, and a torsion spring about. said pin having one endpressing against a surfacelofsaid look body to press saidbolt and pini-bodily .toward said-key plug, they other end of said spring pressinglagainst said bolt to rotate said boltin theaxisof said pin outwardly of said third slot.

7. in a lock of :the class described, a lock body having abore, a key plug slidable in the forward endofsaid'borasaid body having a pair of opposed .slots extending from the rear` end of said lockbody toward 'the front end thereofand the saidfkey plug, apin Vslidable in said slots transverselyof-said bore, a bolt carried by said pin and slidable therewith, said look body having a .third slot transverse of said first slots and communieating withsaid bore and through which said bolt extends from saidpin, and a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against said bolt to push it and its pin rearwardly relatively to said lock body.

8. In alockof the class described, a lock body having a bore, akey plug slidable in the forward enc-lof saidbore, said body having a pair of opposed slots .extending .from the rear end of said lock body .toward the front end thereof and the said keyplug, a pin slidable in said slots transversely of said bore, .a bolt carried by said pin and slidable therewith, said lock body having a third slot transverse of said first slots and communicating with said bore and through which said bolt .extends from said-pin, a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against said bolt to push it and its pin rearwardly relatively to said look body, a .torsion spring about said pin having one end pressing vagainst asurface of said lock body to press said bolt and pin bodily toward said key plug, the other end of said spring pressing against said bolt to rotate said bolt in the axis of said pin outwardly of said third slot.

9. LIn a lock of the class described, a lock body, a key plug. slidablein a bore of said lock body, said look body havinga slot leading to said bore, a bolt adapted to. move into and out of said slot, means mounting said .bolt for sliding movement relatively to said lock body, said key plug having a surface forsliding said bolt relatively to said lock body, and asurface of said lock body adapted to cam said bolt into said slot as said bolt is moved by said key plug.

l0. In a lock of the class described, a look body,

a key plug slidable in a bore of said lock body,

Said lock body having a slot leading to said bore, a bolt adapted to move into and out of said slot, means mounting said bolt for sliding movement relatively to said lock body, Said lock body having a slot leading to said bore, a bolt adapted to lie in said slot and to .extend outwardly thereof into locking position, trunnions mounting said bolt for vpivotal and sliding movement relatively to said slot and lockbody, a surface on said-key plug adapted to impinge against said bolt to push it and itstrunnion rearwardly relatively to said lock body, a torsion spring about said trunnion having one end pressing against a surface of said look body to press said bolt and trunnion bodily toward said key plug, the other end of said spring pressing against said bolt to rotate said bolt in the axis of said trunnion outwardly of said slot.

11. In a lock of the class described, a look body, a key plug slidable in a bore of said look body, said lock body having a slot leading to said bore,

a bolt adapted to move into and out of said slot, means mounting said bolt for sliding movement relatively to said lock body, said lock body having a slot leading to said bore, a bolt adapted to lie in said slot and to extend outwardly thereof into locking position, trunnions mounting said bolt for pivotal and sliding movement relatively to said slot and lock body, a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against said bolt to push it and its trunnion rearwardly relatively to vsaid lock body, a torsion spring about said trunnion having one end pressing against a surface of said lock body to press said bolt and trunnion bodily toward said key plug, the other end of said spring pressing against said bolt to rotate said bolt in the axis of said trunnion outwardly of said slot, and a surface of said lock body adapted to cam said bolt into said slot as said bolt is moved by said key plug.

12. lin a lock of the class described, a lock body, a key plug slidable in a bore of said lock body, said lock body having a slot leading to said bore, a bolt adapted to move into and out of said slot, means mounting said bolt for sliding movement relatively to said lock body and for said movement into and out of said slot, spring means urging said bolt out of said slot and lock body toward a locking position and simultaneously urging said bolt on said mounting means against the key plug, said key plug having a surface i adapted to slide said bolt on its mounting means against the force of said spring, and a surface .of said lock body adapted to cam said bolt into said siot as said bolt is moved by said key plug.

13. In a lock of the class described, a lock body, a key plug slidable in a bore of said lock body, lock body having a slot leading to said bore, a bolt having a locking end adapted to move into and out or" said slot, means mounting said bolt for sliding movement relatively to said lock body and for pivotal movement of said looking end into and out of said slot, said key plug having a surface for sliding said bolt relatively to said lock body, and a surface of said lock body adapted to cam said bolt on said mounting means into said slot as said bolt is moved by said key plug, said surface deadlocking said bolt against sliding movement when end pressure is applied directly to the locking end of said bolt.

14. En a lock of the class described, a lock body having a bore, a key plug slidable in said bore, said body having a pair of opposed slots, a pin slidable in said slots transversely of said bore, a bolt having a locking end carried by said pin and slidable therewith, said look body having a third slot transverse of said iirst slots and communicating with said bore and through which the locking end of said bolt extends from said pin, a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against said bolt to push it and its pin rearwardly relatively to said lock body, a surface of said lock body adapted to cam the locking end of said bolt downwardly into said third slot as said bolt and pin move rearwardly of said lock body, spring means pressing said bolt and pin bodily toward said key plug, while rotating the locking end of said bolt in the axis of said pin outwardly of said third slot, the position of said bolt when rotated outwardly of said third slot being such that end pressure against its locking end is ineieotive to move it rearwardly with said 15. In a lock of the class described, a lock body, a key plug slidable in a bore of said lock body. said lock body having a slot leading to said bore, a bolt adapted to move into and out of said slot, means mounting said bolt for sliding movement relatively to said lock body and for said movement into end of said slot, spring means urging said bolt out of said slot and lock body toward a locking position and simultaneously urging said bolt on said mounting means against the key plug, said key plug having a surface adapted to slide said bolt on its mounting means against the force of said spring, and a surface of said look body adapted to cam said bolt into said slot as said bolt is moved by said key plug and adapted to block rearward movement of said bolt when end pressure is applied to that part thereof outside said slot.

16. In a lock of the class described, a lock body having a bore, a key plug slidable in said bore, a bolt having a locking end, means mounting said bolt for sliding and pivotal movement in said lock body, a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against a portion of said bolt spaced from said locking end to push it rearwardly relatively to said lock body on said mounting means, spring means pushing said bolt bodily against the said surface of said key plug while rotating said bolt relatively to said lock body in a locking direction, a surface of said lock body adapted to cam the locking end of said bolt in a direction opposed to that in which it is urged by the pressure of said spring when said bolt is moved inwardly by said key plug, and said surface deadlocking said bolt against sliding movement when end pressure is applied directly to the locking end of said bolt.

17. In a lock of the class described, a look body having a bore, a key plug slidable in said bore, a bolt having a locking end, means mounting said bolt for sliding and pivotal movement on said lock body, a surface on said key plug adapted to impinge against a portion of said bolt spaced from said locking end to push it rearwardly relatively to said lock body on said mounting means, spring means pushing said bolt bodily against the said surface of said key plug While rotating said bolt relatively to said lock body in a locking direction, and surfaces on said lock body and bolt adapted to cam said bolt in a direction opposed by said spring when said bolt is moved inwardly on its mounting means by said key plug, while deadlocking said bolt against endwise movementl when said pressure is applied directly to the locking end of said locking bolt.

HENRY J. FELDMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,563,579 Whiting Jan. 5, 1926 2,023,203 Olson Dec. 3, 1935 2,208,003 Jacobi July 16, 1940 2,221,095 Jacobi Nov. 12, 1940 2,312,643 Hoetteis Mar. 2, 1943 2,399,812 Ledin May 7, 1946 

